It would probably be considered part of a trivia game for very many to be aware of the life and times of Ray Chapman. He began his career with the Cleveland Indians, then called the Cleveland Naps, at the age the age of twenty one. His career with this team was short but it lacked nothing in the records the man kept attaining.
It took little time for Chapman to prove what he could do on the field of play. He scored numerous walks and runs within six years of play. He led the league in sacrifices with his innate ability to bunt the ball and bring a teammate across the plate to score one for the Indians.
Originally called the Cleveland Naps, Kentucky born Chapman played his entire career as shortstop for the team. His short career was emblazoned with highlights that most players can only hope to achieve. In the 1918 ball season this man led the American League in both runs and walks totaling 84 each.
Ray was not an overly big man. He stood about 5' 10" tall which is short by most of today's standards but that did little to stop him when he was on the field. Stolen bases seemed to be his forte leading his team four different times. At present, he is number 6 in the all time record of fifty-two stolen bases during his career.
It was common practice during these years of pro baseball to dirty up the ball in several ways. The worst the ball looked the better it was considered to be. Dark and dingy the baseball was difficult to see, and the ball that one could not see, one could not hit. It was this thinking that led to the death of Ray Chapman.
It was in August of 1920 in a game against the New York Yankees that Ray stepped up to the plate for the last time. Known for crowding the plate, pitcher Carl Mays let loose with a fastball. Witnesses attest to the fact that Ray never backed away giving the impression that he was unable to see the ball, and it hit him in the head. The sound was so loud, that the pitcher thought the ball had hit Chapman's bat and he made a throw to first base.
Dazed, Chapman took a few steps and then collapsed. Teammates carried him off the field and he was taken to a nearby hospital. Never regaining consciousness, Ray died twelve hours later on August 17, 1920, the only man in the history of baseball to be killed by a thrown pitch. The spitball was outlawed but it took thirty years before helmets were considered mandatory.
Many wonder what further records would have been set by Ray Chapman. Oddly enough, 1920 was to have been his last year in pro ball. He had married before that season and had decided to retire to enter his wife's family business. It was never to be and many of this great players records still stand today in the Baseball Hall of Fame
It took little time for Chapman to prove what he could do on the field of play. He scored numerous walks and runs within six years of play. He led the league in sacrifices with his innate ability to bunt the ball and bring a teammate across the plate to score one for the Indians.
Originally called the Cleveland Naps, Kentucky born Chapman played his entire career as shortstop for the team. His short career was emblazoned with highlights that most players can only hope to achieve. In the 1918 ball season this man led the American League in both runs and walks totaling 84 each.
Ray was not an overly big man. He stood about 5' 10" tall which is short by most of today's standards but that did little to stop him when he was on the field. Stolen bases seemed to be his forte leading his team four different times. At present, he is number 6 in the all time record of fifty-two stolen bases during his career.
It was common practice during these years of pro baseball to dirty up the ball in several ways. The worst the ball looked the better it was considered to be. Dark and dingy the baseball was difficult to see, and the ball that one could not see, one could not hit. It was this thinking that led to the death of Ray Chapman.
It was in August of 1920 in a game against the New York Yankees that Ray stepped up to the plate for the last time. Known for crowding the plate, pitcher Carl Mays let loose with a fastball. Witnesses attest to the fact that Ray never backed away giving the impression that he was unable to see the ball, and it hit him in the head. The sound was so loud, that the pitcher thought the ball had hit Chapman's bat and he made a throw to first base.
Dazed, Chapman took a few steps and then collapsed. Teammates carried him off the field and he was taken to a nearby hospital. Never regaining consciousness, Ray died twelve hours later on August 17, 1920, the only man in the history of baseball to be killed by a thrown pitch. The spitball was outlawed but it took thirty years before helmets were considered mandatory.
Many wonder what further records would have been set by Ray Chapman. Oddly enough, 1920 was to have been his last year in pro ball. He had married before that season and had decided to retire to enter his wife's family business. It was never to be and many of this great players records still stand today in the Baseball Hall of Fame
About the Author:
For information about Ray Chapman and other Cleveland Indians players, go to our website here. You can see details on the author and book at http://www.scottlongert.com/addie-joss-books.html now.
No comments:
Post a Comment